The Indie Bob Spot: The Brewed Book

The Brewed Book, Davenport, IA

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I knew this place was out there but only barely. It's time that this gem gets some attention and I'm rattling the cage of all who read this that you need to discover this relative unknown beauty. It won't be long until you see this indie on some of those regional "best" lists that occasionally come out recognizing fine bookstores. This indie isn't even two years old yet and as nice as it is now, the best is yet to come. Co-owner Tony F. along with his son Trevor have big plans, ideas for growth, activities, community, and more.

The interior of this bookstore oozes warmth. Not the temperature, but the feel. Wooden floors, dark brown shelves with books stacked floor to ceiling, and soft lighting. There are many places to sit and sip a coffee from the cafe and enjoy sampling a book. The Brewed Book offers all used books and a few new ones published by local authors. There are no sidelines yet but the cafe is an obvious important part of the business. The store has an excellent location sandwiched between St. Ambrose University, Palmer Chiropractic College, and nearby Central High School. Customers come from all of these communities as well as the local neighborhood. Future plans include more than doubling the retail space by expanding behind the current store, renovation of two upstairs apartments, online sales, more events, entering the entire inventory into a database, establishing a customer policy for acquiring used books, and so much more. Davenport is a part of a larger region in eastern Iowa and western Illinois on the Mississippi River known as the Quad Cities. There is no independent like this in the area making The Brewed Book a destination for book and coffee lovers alike. As Tony told me, they were going for a combination of a great bookstore and great coffee cafe. They've easily exceeded their goal.

Besides the bookstore and cafe component, they're developing their events schedule by hosting board game nights. As with their other visions, this will continue to develop and expand.

Tony was fantastic to meet and visit on this day. Like so many I've met on my journey, he opened this store with no background in retail or business. And like Tony, these many I've met are moved by a passion for books, coffee, and community. This is a can't miss rising star that you won't be able to ignore for long. Just take the Brady St. exit off I-80 and you'll go straight to it. Congrats to Tony and Trevor. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: The River, Peter Heller. This is the perfect book for a person who enjoys the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, and canoeing. Two college friends take an innocent river trip by canoe but soon find themselves trying to out race a forest fire while ferrying a severely injured woman back for help. There are villains lurking as well. Slow start, the ending is good. The writing was a little too descriptive for me and slowed the pace of the book.

CURRENTLY READING: Don't Make Me Pull Over!, Richard Ratay.

A beautiful storefront.

I think the store's logo is outstanding.

Lots of front window space that brings in lots of natural light.

View looking into the store from the front entrance.

Just inside the front door you'll find a piano waiting for attention. Maybe you can plan your recital for here?

A great place to sit at the front window with your coffee and your book.

The store has numerous places to sit.

The bookshelves are floor to ceiling books. I also thought the lighting was perfect.

This is where you'll get your coffee and pay for your books. The counter is also used for shelving more books. Beautiful.

Another view of the shelved books under the counter.

Partial view of the cafe counter.

One of the book nooks. Future plans include back-lighting behind the stained glass you see in the picture.

Ladders and footstools will help you get to those high books.

A wonderful reading room toward the back of the store.

This sign explains the next picture.

This is the space behind the current retail area of the bookstore that will significantly increase the size of the store. Consider this the "before" picture. You need to go for the "after" picture.

The store has incorporated some attractive plants with the ladders.

Overview of the store looking from the back toward the front entrance.

Two super places to sit in the back of the store.

A few of the new books in the store, written by local authors.

WWII scholars might enjoy these volumes.

Look carefully at these book covers. The covers are the inspiration for presenting the cafe's menu. Very creative and not sure I've seen this anywhere.

Of course you'll need this for all the books you'll buy.

The interior is so attractive that a few customers have asked how to borrow a book. You don't have to borrow, you can buy and own a book! And the prices are great, mostly $5 for hardbacks and $3 for paperbacks.